What is memory? Are there different kinds of memory? What are the biological bases of memory? **Note: Please read the 2 chapters attached before you answer, very important. Answer the 3 questions in APA paragraph 6th edition format in 300 words or more. Please use the APA template and cite the book or other related material used to answer the question. *Ran through Grammarly.com, not plagiarised and cited correctly* *Total pts 100
Memory is a complex cognitive process that enables individuals to encode, store, and retrieve information from past experiences. It plays a crucial role in everyday life by allowing us to learn, make decisions, and navigate the world. However, memory is not a single, unitary system but rather consists of various types of memory that rely on distinct biological bases.
One of the primary classifications of memory is based on the time frame of retention. According to Atkinson and Shiffrin’s (1968) influential model, memory can be divided into three different systems: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory refers to the initial registration of information from the environment through sensory modalities such as vision, hearing, and touch. It has a large capacity but a short duration, typically lasting only a few seconds. Short-term memory encompasses information that is actively maintained for a short period, often around 20 to 30 seconds, and can hold about seven items (Miller, 1956). Finally, long-term memory is responsible for the storage of information over an extended period, potentially lasting a lifetime.
Within long-term memory, further subdivisions can be made based on the type of information being stored. One prominent distinction is between declarative (explicit) and non-declarative (implicit) memory. Declarative memory refers to consciously accessible knowledge about facts and events, such as remembering the name of a capital city or recalling details of a recent vacation. On the other hand, non-declarative memory encompasses skills, habits, and other forms of memory that are expressed without conscious awareness, such as riding a bicycle or playing an instrument. These two types of memory rely on different brain regions and neural processes, with declarative memory primarily associated with the medial temporal lobe and non-declarative memory involving various regions across the brain (Squire & Zola-Morgan, 1991).
The biological bases of memory involve intricate interactions between neurons, neural circuits, and neurochemical processes in the brain. Synaptic plasticity, particularly long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), is considered a fundamental mechanism underlying memory formation and storage. LTP refers to the strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons, which enhances the neural response to subsequent stimulation, whereas LTD weakens synaptic connections, resulting in a decreased response (Bliss & Collingridge, 1993). These forms of plasticity are thought to be crucial for encoding and consolidating memories in the brain.
The hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe structure, is crucial for the formation of new declarative memories. This region plays a central role in the initial encoding and consolidation of information, particularly in the transition from short-term to long-term memory (Eichenbaum, 2001). Research has shown that damage to the hippocampus, such as in patients with medial temporal lobe amnesia, leads to severe deficits in forming new declarative memories while sparing non-declarative memory functions (Squire & Zola-Morgan, 1991).
Moreover, the prefrontal cortex, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), is involved in the working memory aspect of short-term memory. Working memory refers to the temporary storage and manipulation of information required for complex cognitive tasks, such as problem-solving and decision-making. The DLPFC is known to contribute to the maintenance and manipulation of information in working memory through its connections with other brain regions (Curtis & D’Esposito, 2003).
In conclusion, memory is a multifaceted cognitive process that encompasses various types of memory systems relying on distinct biological bases. Sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory represent different time frames of retention, while declarative and non-declarative memory capture different types of information. The biological bases of memory involve synaptic plasticity, particularly LTP and LTD, for encoding and storage. Brain regions such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex play critical roles in memory formation and maintenance, respectively. Understanding the different types of memory and their biological underpinnings is essential for gaining insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying human cognition.
References
Atkinson, R. C., & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes. In K. W. Spence & J. T. Spence (Eds.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation: Advances in Research and Theory (Vol. 2, pp. 89-195). Academic Press.
Bliss, T. V., & Collingridge, G. L. (1993). A synaptic model of memory: Long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Nature, 361(6407), 31-39.
Curtis, C. E., & D’Esposito, M. (2003). Persistent activity in the prefrontal cortex during working memory. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 7(9), 415-423.
Eichenbaum, H. (2001). The hippocampus and declarative memory: Cognitive mechanisms and neural codes. Behavioural Brain Research, 127(1-2), 199-207.
Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review, 63(2), 81-97.
Squire, L. R., & Zola-Morgan, S. (1991). The medial temporal lobe memory system. Science, 253(5026), 1380-1386.